The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-19
AN EIGHTY-FIVE-DAY FAST.
Astonishing Facts Concerning the Won
derful Case of Miss Mary Baker.
Five Days and Subject to Violent Convul-
sonS from Unexplainable Causes.
sf he Indianapolis Journal.

Correspondence cf fhe Indianapolis Journal
MoNoN, Ind, Jan. 17.--There is one Of the
most wonderful cases of sickness in this town
ship ever heard Of, one that not only surpasses
anything of its cbaracter for duration. but baf
fos the most expert medical skill in its diagno
sis.
Miss Mary Baker. aged eighteen, living seven
miles northeast of this place, has tasted for
eiGhty-ive days, having not eaten single parti-
lle of food of any kind within this time, thus
more than doubling the fast Of DR.. Tanner.
The history of the case as detailed to your CORE
spondent, last Sunday, by Mary herself, her
mother, step-father Mr. Lewis Winters, and at
tendants are these: About year ago she took
sick with lung fever, from the effects of which
she did not fully recover, but was able to be up
aud about during the summer About twelve
weeks ago she had bottle Of medicine brought
10 her, while in bed by one of her little sisters
tshe states that this drug was valerianl;
she. took dose, about half
teaspoouful, she says and soon after fell into
deep sleep. from which she did not awake for
five days, during which time, and up to the
present, she has not partAken of anything to
eat, and only swallowed water or foods of any
kind to be Immediately thrown up. The writer
euggested doubt as to the genuineness of ina
bility to drink and retain any fuids and. after
many entreaties by one of the nurses. she con-
sented to take swallow of water in order to
demonstrate its truth. No sooner mad she swal-
lowed the water than it Immediately vom-
tied up, her stomach beginning spasmodic
action which continued for about one minute,
when she began cramping ell over, drawing her
lower extremities up, throwing her arms up al
most even with her shoulders, with her hands
tightly eliDcbed and resting against her breast,
while she threw her head forward and from
one side to the other indicating the
excruciating pain she was suffering.
Sne was soon given relief by rubbing her limbs
thoroughly. The first indication of the cramp-
Ing, except related Of the stomachs action.
was In the muscles Of the eyes and ears, and
one OF the nurses put his thumb in the and
twisted 1t about as though he was going to take
1t out by the roots At the same time he took
her head on his arm in such a manner as to grip
1t with all his strength These spasms can ne
produced by other causes, and the one l will
relate is more wonderful than the preceding.
The room in which she lies is darkened. all the
blinds being down, light, even, producing them.
When they wished to repenish the fire the
nurses raised the window at the foot and one
at the head of the bed One nurse took her in
his arms (she sitting up in bed), and clasped hel
so his breast; another stood By his side with
fan, while the third stood ready to arrange the
FIRE when all was ready. When the signal was
given the stove door was opened and the WOOD
thrown in, and the door smut in an instant, but
no sooner was the door of the stove opened
than she took spasm OF the sarle
character as before Now, she could not see tn,
stove nor could she hear, for her head was 81
embraced as to prevent her hearing, while th'
greatest was taken TO prevent any noise
The spasm commenced the very instant the doc
opened When asked how she felt at the tim
she went into the spasm she answered by sayinl
she was smothering. She is partially relieves
of these spasrns by hypodermic injections OF NOR
phine in the arms and ankles at intervals o
from two to five hours. Her face, arms, bod.
and lower extremities TO the knees are of norma
temperature, while from her knees down th
limbs and feet seem cold. Her pulse yesterda,
was about seventy ner minute.
She ie rather heavy set, and when in health j
feshy, weighing l35 pounds. She is not on
handsome, but possesses one of the most amiabl
dispositions in the world. The nurses have a,
tempted, time and again, to give he
food by Injection but the bowels lik
the stomach. instantly refused to retail
1t. She is somewhat emaciated but nothin
like what would suppose from her long sick
and eighty FIVE days fast She is entirel
conscious, but cannot speak above n whisps,
Some one has to sit by her all the time and pres
on her left side, just below the ribs, for thi
seems TO be the only place she has pain continr
ally. She says she never feels hungry, but ca
tell every article of food the family has for eac
meal although she is in a room entirely sepi
rated from the kitchen. To strike match
any part of the house affects her; in fact, hs
senses of smell and hearing are most wonderful
Physicians are entirely at sea as to what IS II
nature of her malady no such case being
record. Any one doubling the above facts ca
be convinced OF their truth by visiting Mr.. Wi
terss home. where all who desire to see tEis ph
Boinenon are courteously received and ente
tanned.
Nx.ft t1.x Ibxa